Room Sharing: Siblings and Multiples

Whether you’re short on space, growing your family, or simply want to encourage sibling bonding, sharing a room can be both practical and heartwarming. That said, it’s not always easy, especially when you're juggling different ages, nap routines, or night wake-ups. Whether you're introducing a newborn or toddler to an older child’s room or figuring out how to settle twins at the same time, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed

This blog will walk you through everything you need to know to make room sharing practical, manageable, and as sleep-friendly as possible.

When can siblings begin to share a room?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but if one child is still waking frequently or sleep is inconsistent, it’s best to hold off on room sharing for now.

Focus on building strong sleep habits first. It’s much easier to transition into a shared sleep space when both children are sleeping well on their own. Trying to room share when sleep is already a struggle can make things even harder for everyone involved.

There are so many different scenarios. For example, if you have a toddler who’s struggling with sleep and a newborn waking a few times overnight for feeds, it’s best to work on your toddler’s sleep first, get them falling asleep independently and sleeping through the night. Once that’s established, focus on your newborn’s sleep, and only then consider bringing them into the same room. It's also possible to go in and do your nighttime feeds while your toddler continues to sleep.

If you have an older child and want them to room share with a toddler or preschooler, again, start by working on the younger child’s sleep. You might consider having the older sibling bunk on the couch, use a blow-up mattress in a separate room, or even sleep in your room for a few nights while the toddler settles in.

If you need help with getting sleep on the right track, I can help you.

• For newborns (0–3 months), I have a dedicated sleep guide for this age.

• For babies and toddlers (4–24 months), there’s a detailed sleep guide and the option of one-on-one plans where we work closely together.

• For older children (2–5 years), I’m in the process of creating a detailed guide, but we regularly support families with children within this age group. Just send us an email at info@babeedreams.com, and we’ll walk you through the best options for support.
  

Setting up the sleep space

A thoughtful room setup helps prevent disruptions and supports quality sleep for both children:

• Separate the beds: Position the beds or cots away from each other. Place the better sleeper farther from the door to give you easier access to the child who may need help overnight.

• Use a sound machine: Place this between them. This helps mask external noises and sibling sounds, especially if one child wakes or stirs in the night.

• Avoid multiple transitions: Don’t pair this move with a cot-to-bed transition or toilet training. One change at a time.

• Use a video monitor: Position it to give you a clear view of both sleep spaces.

• Set the room up for success to encourage better sleep for everyone: I have a blog you can read on this.

Talk to your older child before the room sharing happens

Help set expectations by having a conversation beforehand. This not only prepares them for what to expect but also gives them a sense of involvement and control in the process.

For example, you might say:“The baby might wake up during the night, and that’s okay. If you hear them, you don’t need to do anything, just roll over and go back to sleep.”

Let them know they are not responsible for settling the baby. Reassure them that you’ll be the one getting up if the baby cries, so they don’t need to worry or feel like they have to help.

It’s also important to set clear physical boundaries. Explain that they shouldn’t get into their sibling’s cot or bed, even if the baby is crying.

If your older child feels nervous or unsure, offer comfort and validate their feelings. Let them know it’s okay to feel a little unsure about the change, but that you’ll be close by and everything is going to be fine.

With the right preparation and reassurance, most older children adapt well to the transition. Just be patient, consistent, and keep communication open as they adjust.

Bedtime routines for room sharing

For multiples: Twins or triplets generally do well with a shared bedtime routine. Aim to do the bedtime routine for all of them at the same time, this helps everyone wind down together.

If one baby tends to fall asleep quicker than the others, don’t stress. Keep the routine flowing and support each baby individually as needed while maintaining the group rhythm.

Check out this video!

For different ages: When there’s an age gap between siblings, it often works best to separate their bedtimes. Start by putting the younger child to bed first, as they usually need an earlier bedtime. Once they’re asleep, go through the bedtime routine with the older child. You could do it in a separate room, but if your little ones are already great sleepers, you may find that doing the routine in the same room at different times isn’t an issue at all.

If you're able to align their routines at the same time without any issues, amazing! But if that’s not realistic, don’t stress. Separate routines are totally okay and can still work great.

Download my Free Toddler Bedtime Routine Mini Guide that includes a bedtime routine chart.

Managing bedtime with one parent

Solo bedtimes can feel tricky, but here are a few ideas to make things smoother:

• Babywear during your toddler’s routine so you can stay hands-free

• Let your toddler unwind with a book or audiobook while you settle the baby. They can also enjoy low-stimulation activities like drawing, doing a puzzle, or playing quietly with soft toys.

• Give them a small “helper” task, like choosing their sibling’s pyjamas or grabbing a nappy. It gives them a sense of purpose and involvement, without overstimulating them right before bed.

The newborn wakes in the night

It’s completely normal for a newborn to wake overnight for feeds, nappy changes, or simply to be resettled. How you respond to these wake-ups can make a big difference for everyone sharing the room.

• Use a dim amber light or red light during feeds or check-ins to avoid fully waking either child. These colours are less disruptive to melatonin production.

• Keep your voice soft and interactions minimal.

• Only change nappies when truly needed, and avoid switching on overhead or bright lights.

  
  

• If possible, feed in a chair outside the room or take your baby into another space, then return them once they’ve settled.

  
  

How to do naps

Nap time can be even trickier to coordinate than bedtime. Here are a few strategies depending on whether your children nap at the same or different times:

If nap times align:

• Do a shared routine in the same room

• Use a sound machine between them and have blackout blinds

  
  

If nap times differ, but still crossover:

• Consider setting up a second nap space (travel cot in your room, or a quiet corner of the house), OR

• You could quietly put them in the same room and turn up the sound machine. This option usually works best if you have good sleepers, who don't really cause a fuss when it's sleep time.

Common concerns and what to expect

Worried they’ll wake each other? Most kids are surprisingly resilient to sibling noises. A brief stir or cry often doesn’t fully wake the other child. This is where a sound machine can help buffer any sounds between them.

What if one cries or talks in their sleep? It’s completely normal. Many children make little noises overnight, and unless one is particularly sensitive to sound, they usually adjust quickly. Over time, their brains learn to tune each other out.

What if my toddler climbs into the baby’s bed? Set this boundary early and clearly. Explain that the baby’s cot is just for them, and it’s not safe to put anything, like toys or blankets into their sleep space.

Older children often act out of kindness when they hear their sibling cry. They might try to comfort them by climbing into the cot or adding soft toys or extra blankets. While the intention is sweet, it’s important to make it clear that the baby’s bed must stay empty and undisturbed for safety reasons.

What if they wake at different times in the morning?

This is super common, especially when there’s an age gap or one child naturally wakes earlier than the other.

If your baby wakes first, keep the room dim and the sound machine running to avoid waking the older sibling. Gently pick up the baby and take them out of the room without lingering. Close the door softly and wait for your toddler to wake up on their own.

If your toddler wakes first, have a plan to keep things quiet and calm. I always recommend using an OK-to-Wake clock. You can program it so red means “stay in bed and remain quiet,” yellow means “you’re allowed to get up quietly but not wake anyone,” and green means “it’s time to start the day.” Set the green light to turn on shortly after the baby usually wakes.

It might take a little adjusting, but with consistency and clear boundaries, even different morning times can flow smoothly in a shared space.

For early risers, I have a blog!

Final tips for success

There will likely be:

• Expect an adjustment period with disrupted sleep

• You might find with older children, their stall their bedtime from the novelty of being together

• Start with strong sleep habits

• Make one change at a time

• Give it at least 1–2 weeks to settle in

  
  

Need help creating strong sleepers before starting this transition?

Browse my sleep guides or reach out for a one-on-one support plan. You’re not alone in this, we can work together to build a solid routine and strong sleep foundation for your little ones.

If you feel you’d benefit from a chat, we can also schedule a phone consult. Let’s make room sharing and sleep feel a lot more manageable.

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I'm the founder of Babee Dreams, a certified sleep consultant, and a mum of three. Everything I share is from evidence-based research, professional training through The Sleep Consulting Academy, real-life success stories from families I've worked with, and the instincts that come from being a mum.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised guidance regarding your baby's health and well-being, Babee Dreams does not give medical advice.